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Topic Review (Newest First)

02-26-2015 08:36 PM

warhead_71

On my 55gal, I'm using four of the IKEA FOTO 10" pendant lamps... available in several colors. Running 23W 6500K CFLs and the plants seem happy.

These are old pics, I have a bunch of Ocelot Swords, Chain Sword, Ludwigia, Rotala Indica, Cabomba, Jungle Val... everything is growing very well and the Wisteria is out of control.

02-08-2015 05:17 PM

AGUILAR3

Quote:

Originally Posted by burr740

That is one sexy dome, AGUILAR! What are it's dimensions and what watt bulb is in it?

Great looking stand too.

Thanks

It's a 15" dome I found at work. It was on a pallet with some old metal halide lamps. The mounting hole was big enough to where I was able to removed my 8" brooder lamp dome(13w cfl), slipped on the monster dome then screwed the brooder dome back on so it's basically resting on the 8" dome. It was done for sh!t$ n giggles

The stand is made from an old pallet I got from work. I cut it down to size, added legs, bottom bracing then stained it.

The light hanger is also DIY. Found some conduit pipe at work, borrowed the pipe bender and winged it on the dimensions. Brought it home and surprisingly, it fit.

02-08-2015 01:51 PM

BulletToothBoris

Very cool. Thanks.

02-07-2015 10:41 PM

Xiaozhuang

Decided to add my lot of nanos to this thread; all using 24w CFLs, 2700k/6500k at varying heights from the tank... All low tech nanos with dirted substrate

Still growing in...

02-07-2015 01:37 AM

burr740

That is one sexy dome, AGUILAR! What are it's dimensions and what watt bulb is in it?

Great looking stand too.

02-06-2015 11:43 PM

AGUILAR3

Just sayin..

02-05-2015 12:50 AM

TankFreak420

Sorry if this question was answered but I didn't read the 18 pages of info. Has anyone tried these on a large tank say 120g? I was originally going to do 6 23W CFL's but cutting cost a time by using some 4' T8s I have kicking around. What one would be better? This 120g is 26" tall.

02-05-2015 12:25 AM

grail63

I bought 2 of the smaller 6" domes for my 20gallon Long dirted low tech tank. I plan on using the 13watt 6500k CFL bulbs. Would this be sufficient for low to medium light plants or should I look to add a 3rd dome?

01-29-2015 03:47 AM

AEWHistory

Wow, great minds think alike! When I got back into the hobby in 2008 I got myself a slew of 5&10 G tanks as well as some large plastic containers to grow stuff out and experiment. I needed lots of lighting and this was one of the first things I experimented with. Worked like a charm. In fact, in some containers it worked a little too well and I ended up with a veritable jungle of plants competing for resources. That what I got for trying to do way too much too soon..... I'm glad to see others have latched onto this idea--at the time I didn't even realize it was a new idea in any way.

01-28-2015 09:20 PM

pinchez

I'd like to do something like this with my tank (55G 39L x 16W x 22H) which I'm converting to a Amazon Biotope with Frogbit and possibly sword but no other plants. What kind of bulb should I get LED or CFL? I do like the shimmer of LED but I'm a bit lost! I basically want enough light for my Frogbit to thrive and the colours in my fish to stand out. Can someone kindly advise on what I need and how many bulbs and shades I'd need?

Thanks

01-28-2015 05:11 PM

ichristos

I have put an order for osmocote plus root tabs.
unfortunately I damaged the PAR meter and I am waiting for components to redo. Will return with readings as promised.

01-22-2015 09:08 AM

burr740

Quote:

Originally Posted by ichristos

Hi jeffkrol, dhg was meticulously separated into max 10 blades each then planted. Learned that lesson

Suggests application 2-3 times/year so I suppose its slow release. Is this a good candidate for root tabs? I will be ordering some ready made osmocote plus root tabs - if I can find someone willing to ship here

Without looking up and comparing ingredients, let me just say you have to be careful choosing terrestrial plant ferts for the aquarium. More often than not the source of nitrogen is urea, which is bad, or just straight ammonia.

I do know a lot of people use Job's plant spikes, but from what Ive read you're asking for a nightmare if you ever up root them down the line. Dont ask me why.

Personally I would only use Osmocote Plus specifically, or aquarium brand root tabs. The latter can be very expensive compared to Osmocote+. Also you have the added advantage of making your own tabs with however much you want, or just adding the individual balls. That what I did with the DHG. I took tweezers and poked down single balls all over the place.

Fwiw Osmocote Plus contains both macros and micros. Regular Osmocote only has macros.

01-22-2015 08:38 AM

agro

Quote:

Originally Posted by umarnasir335

Just wanted to pipe in with my own setup using 5 CFL fixtures on all 3 of my planted tanks.

The lamps used are the typical walmart ones that come in black. I was kind of apprehensive since the fixture is supposed to handle 13w max, but I went ahead and put in a higher wattage bulb anyway

I think I can grow anything with this setup on my 20 Long (also running 2x2 liter DIY co2 - soon to be replaced with paintball setup).
The lamps on the left and right run 26w GE 6500K bulbs @ 1600 lumen.
The middle lamp is a Great Value 19w @ 5000k and 1300 lumen.

The 20 High has a Jebo power compact fixture running 48w and I include the lamp with the same 19w bulb for an extra boost for about 2-3 hours per day once I get home from work.

3 gallon on top is running a 14w Great Value bulb, 5000k @ 800 lumen. The pearlweed has already started to carpet after a week

Your rack frightens me, the amount of bowing you have on those shelfs + that tank on the side with no support to corners. You love to live dangerous dont you?

01-22-2015 07:53 AM

ichristos

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffkrol

Can't tell by the photo but did you leave it clumped together? Seems that would be a no no.

Suggests application 2-3 times/year so I suppose its slow release. Is this a good candidate for root tabs? I will be ordering some ready made osmocote plus root tabs - if I can find someone willing to ship here

01-21-2015 09:09 PM

jeffkrol

Can't tell by the photo but did you leave it clumped together? Seems that would be a no no.